MD3 Format - Revision history

RandallPetras at 06:03, 13 May 2009

2009-05-13T06:03:33Z

Show changes

RandallPetras at 05:56, 13 May 2009

2009-05-13T05:56:23Z

RandallPetras at 05:50, 13 May 2009

2009-05-13T05:50:25Z

RandallPetras at 05:45, 13 May 2009

2009-05-13T05:45:10Z

RandallPetras: A summary of the MD3 file format

2009-05-09T21:39:26Z

A summary of the MD3 file format

New page

[[Category:Engineering format]]
'''Title(s):''' [[Title::]] - MD3 for id Tech 3 engine

'''Version ID:''' [[Version ID::]] - MD3

'''Date released:''' [[Version Date released::]] - 1999-12-02 (Released with Quake 3)

'''Date:''' [[Format Date::]] - Date the format was created (YYYY-MM-DD)

'''Creator(s):''' [[Creator::Entity Template]] - id Software

'''Contributor(s):''' [[Contributor::]] - id Software

'''Relationships:''' - Created by id Software for use in the id tech 3 game engine. Id tech 3 replaced id tech 2.

* '''Previous Version(s):''' [[Previous Version::]] - Replaced the MD2 format.

* '''Contains:''' [[Contains::]] - None

* '''Syntax Format(s):''' [[Syntax Format::]] - Structured data for drawing models using OpenGL.

* '''Family Format(s):''' [[Family Format::]] - OpenGL

'''Description:''' [[Description::]] - Designed to model triangle data for frame by frame animation for use in video game rendering. The data in the file contains frame, vertex, surface, and shading data, as well as animation data.

'''History:''' [[History::]] - Originally released with Quake III, the format and engine were also licensed to other games of the time. Notable games using this format and engine are Quake III, Call of Duty, Medal of Honor & Soldier of Fortune.

'''Example(s):''' [[Example::Example Template]] - <pre>
Example animation.cfg:

//Quake3 player animation file

sex m

footsteps normal

// first frame, num frames, looping frames, frames per second

0 32 0 25 // BOTH_DEATH1 (twirl death)
32 1 1 25 // BOTH_DEAD1 (end of twirl death)
32 35 0 20 // BOTH_DEATH2 (other side twirl death)
67 1 1 20 // BOTH_DEAD2 (end of other side twirl death)
68 25 0 25 // BOTH_DEATH3 (backflip death)
93 1 1 25 // BOTH_DEAD3 (backflip dead)

94 39 0 15 // TORSO_GESTURE
133 7 0 15 // TORSO_ATTACK (regular attack shooting)
140 11 0 15 // TORSO_ATTACK2
151 5 0 15 // TORSO_DROP (drop weapon)
156 6 0 15 // TORSO_RAISE (raise weapon)
162 31 0 10 // TORSO_STAND
193 11 0 10 // TORSO_STAND2

94 12 12 15 // LEGS_WALKCR
107 12 12 15 // LEGS_WALK
120 12 12 17 // LEGS_RUN
133 14 12 17 // LEGS_BACK
148 12 12 14 // LEGS_SWIM
159 6 0 8 // LEGS_JUMP
167 6 0 12 // LEGS_LAND
172 6 0 10 // LEGS_JUMPB
178 6 0 10 // LEGS_LANDB
185 6 6 5 // LEGS_IDLE
192 7 6 5 // LEGS_IDLECR
200 6 6 20 // LEGS_TURN
</pre>
Example from: 
http://www.misfitcode.com/misfitmodel3d/olh_quakemd3.html

'''Identifier:''' [[Identifier::]] - Specification: http://linux.ucla.edu/~phaethon/q3a/formats/md3format.html

'''Documentation:''' [[Documentation::Documentation Template]] - See Identifier.

'''File Extensions:''' [[File Extension::]] - .md3

'''Applications:''' - Applications that the engineering format uses.

* '''Native application(s):''' [[Native Application::Engineering Format Application Template]] - id Tech 3/Quake III engine

* '''Interoperable applications:''' [[Interoperable Application::Engineering Format Application Template]] - OpenGL. Models can be created in many 3D rendering packages (Lightwave, 3d Studio Max) and compiled in QME

'''Magic numbers:''' [[Magic Numbers::]] - IDP3

'''Format(s):''' [[Format::]] - md3

'''Rights:''' [[Rights::]] - While the Quake III engine is proprietary, MD3 has been GPL'd.

'''Sustainability Factors:''' - Facts about the sustainability of this particular engineering format.

* '''Standardization:''' [[Standardization::]] - None, this format has been superseded by other formats, including MD5.

* '''Adoption:''' [[Adoption::]] - Format was adopted by several other games, but has since been superseded.

** '''Licensing and patent claims:''' [[Licensing and patent claims::]] - The MD2 format is licensed under the GPL.

* '''Self-documentation:''' [[Self-documentation::]] - None

* '''External dependencies:''' [[External dependencies::]] - OpenGl is needed for rendering.

* '''Technical protection considerations:''' [[Technical protection considerations::]] - None.

'''Typical use:''' [[Typical use::]] - Video Games, specifically those using the id Tech 3/Quake III engine

'''File classification:''' - Specific properties that pertain to this engineering format.
* '''Type {Binary, Text}:''' [[File Classification Type::]] - Binary
* '''Raster data:''' - Section describes whether or not the engineering format supports raster data.
** '''Raster data 2D:''' - Can the format support 2D raster data? Example: A format that can contain 2D pixelated data supports 2D raster data.
*** '''Is Supported:''' [[File Classification Raster Data 2D - Is Supported::]] - No.
*** '''Description:''' [[File Classification Raster Data 2D - Description::]] - The format is a mesh/animation format.

** '''Raster data 3D:''' - Can the format support 3D raster data? Example: A format that can contain 2D pixelated data of a 3D model supports 3D raster data.
*** '''Is Supported:''' [[File Classification Raster Data 3D - Is Supported::]] - No.
*** '''Description:''' [[File Classification Raster Data 3D - Description::]] - The format is a mesh/animation format. Though not specifically raster data it does contain data for skin and shading.

* '''Geometric representation:''' - Section describes whether or not the engineering format supports geometric representations.
** '''Implicit representation:''' - Section describes whether or not the engineering format supports implicit representations.
*** '''Implicit surfaces:''' - Can the format support implicit surfaces? Example: A format that can contain surfaces that are generated with mathematical equations that contain the independent variables x, y, and z, like x^2 + y^2 + z^2 * R^2 = 0, supports implicit surfaces.
**** '''Is Supported:''' [[File Classification Implicit Surfaces - Is Supported::]] - No.
**** '''Description:''' [[File Classification Implicit Surfaces - Description::]] - The format is a mesh/animation format.

*** '''Implicit curves:''' - Can the format support implicit curves? Example: A format that can contain curves that are generated with mathematical equations that contain the independent variables x, y, and z, supports implicit curves.
**** '''Is Supported:''' [[File Classification Implict Curves - Is Supported::]] - No
**** '''Description:''' [[File Classification Implicit Curves - Description::]] - The format is a mesh/animation format.

*** '''Point set:''' - Can the format support point sets? Example: A format that supports surfaces and lines that are generated by points that form triangles supports point sets.
**** '''Is Supported:''' [[File Classification Point Set - Is Supported::]] - Yes.
**** '''Description:''' [[File Classification Point Set - Description::]] - The format is a mesh/animation format. This is a primary function of the MD3 type.

** '''Mesh:''' - Section describes whether or not the engineering format supports mesh.
*** '''Manifold surface meshes:''' - Can the format support manifold surface meshes? Example: A format that supports surfaces that are mathematical spaces in which every point has a neighborhood which resembles Euclidean space
**** '''Is Supported:''' [[File Classification Mainfold Surface Meshes - Is Supported::]] - Yes.
**** '''Description:''' [[File Classification Manifold Surface Meshes - Description::]] - The format is a mesh/animation format. This is a primary function of the MD3 type.

*** '''Manifold volume meshes:''' - Can the format support manifold volume meshes? Example: A format that supports volumes that are mathematical spaces in which every point has a neighborhood which resembles Euclidean space
**** '''Is Supported:''' [[File Classification Manifold Volume Meshes - Is Supported::]] - Yes, but this is not the primary use of the format.
**** '''Description:''' [[File Classification Manifold Volume Meshes - Description::]] - MD3 is a triangular surface map, therefore a manifold volume could be created. However, the primary use of the format is for 3D animation, and internal volume representation is not a primary use.
*** '''Non-manifold meshes:''' - Can the format support non-manifold meshes? Example: A format that supports meshes that are not manifolds
**** '''Is Supported:''' [[File Classification Non-manifold Meshes - Is Supported::]] - Yes.
**** '''Description:''' [[File Classification Non-manifold Meshes - Description::]] - Non-manifold meshes can be created with the format.
** '''Parametric representation:''' - Section describes whether or not the engineering format supports parametric representations.
*** '''Parametric surfaces:''' - Can the format support parametric surfaces? Example: A format that can contain surfaces that are generated with parametric equations supports parametric surfaces.
**** '''Is Supported:''' [[File Classification Parametric Surfaces - Is Supported::]] - No
**** '''Description:''' [[File Classification Parametric Surfaces - Description::]] - The format is a mesh/animation format.

*** '''Parametric curves:''' - Can the format support parametric curves? Example: A format that can contain curves that are generated with parametric equations supports parametric curves.
**** '''Is Supported:''' [[File Classification Parametric Curves - Is Supported::]] - No.
**** '''Description:''' [[File Classification Parametric Curves - Description::]] - The format is a mesh/animation format.

** '''Contour sets:''' - Can the format support contour sets?
*** '''Is Supported:''' [[File Classification Contour Sets - Is Supported::]] - No.
*** '''Description:''' [[File Classification Contour Sets - Description::]] - The format is a mesh/animation format.

** '''NURBS:''' - Can the format support Non Uniform Rational Basis Splines? Examples: The engineering formats IGES, STEP, ACIS, and PHIGS
*** '''Is Supported:''' [[File Classification NURBS - Is Supported::]] - No.
*** '''Description:''' [[File Classification NURBS - Description::]] - The format is a mesh/animation format. While a NURBS surface could be created from the points, there is nothing intrinsic to the format that allows for them.

* '''Multi-resolution models:''' - Can the format support models with multiple resolutions? Examples: A format that supports a highly detailed and lowly detailed model simultaneously supports multi-resolution models.
** '''Is Supported:''' [[File Classification Multi-resolution Models - Is Supported::]] - Somewhat
** '''Description:''' [[File Classification Multi-resolution Models - Description::]] - Multiple scales can be rendered from a single mesh, but the subsequent renders would be separate files.

* '''Dynamics:''' - Section describes whether or not the engineering format supports dynamics.
** '''Kinematics:''' - Can the format support kinematics? Example: Does the format allow model parts to rotate?
*** '''Is Supported:''' [[File Classification Kinematics - Is Supported::]] - Yes.
*** '''Description:''' [[File Classification Kinematics - Description::]] - Framebase animation is one of the primary functions of the format.

** '''Assembly:''' - Can the format support assembly? Example: Does the format allow the assembly instructions to be explicitly specified with a model?
*** '''Is Supported:''' [[File Classification Assembly - Is Supported::]] - Yes.

*** '''Description:''' [[File Classification Assembly - Description::]] - One of the primary uses is character modeling. It is intrinsic to the format to separate head, upper and lower body models as well as weapons. In addition, skin and shading data is also added.

** '''Force(s):''' - Can the format support forces? Example: Does the format support acceleration forces?
*** '''Is Supported:''' [[File Classification Force - Is Supported::]] - No.
*** '''Description:''' [[File Classification Force - Description::]] - Primarily used for animation, force data is not implicit in the format.

* '''Boundary representation''' - Can the format support models with boundary representations?
** '''Manifold surface boundary representations:''' - Can the format support manifold surface boundary representations? Example: The engineering format STEP
*** '''Is Supported:''' [[File Classification Manifold Surface Boundary Representation - Is Supported::]] - No.
*** '''Description:''' [[File Classification Manifold Surface Boundary Representation - Description::]] - No boundary data, outside of the mesh itself, is called out in the format specification.

** '''Manifold volume boundary representations:''' - Can the format support manifold volume boundary representations? Example: The engineering format STEP
*** '''Is Supported:''' [[File Classification Manifold Volume Boundary Representation - Is Supported::]] - No.
*** '''Description:''' [[File Classification Manifold Volume Boundary Representation - Description::]] - No boundary data, outside of the mesh itself, is called out in the format specification.

** '''Non-manifold boundary representations:''' - Can the format support non-manifold boundary representations? Example: The engineering format STEP
*** '''Is Supported:''' [[File Classification Non-manifold Boundary Representation - Is Supported::]] - No
*** '''Description:''' [[File Classification Non-manifold Boundary Representation - Description::]] - No boundary data, outside of the mesh itself, is called out in the format specification.

* '''Material transparency:''' - Can the format support transparency? Example: Does the format allow models to have a clear window in a car?
** '''Is Supported:''' [[File Classification Material Transparency - Is Supported::]] - Yes
** '''Description:''' [[File Classification Material Transparency - Description::]] - Because the format allows for any skin data to ride atop the mesh data, transparency would be possible.

'''References:''' [[References::]] - A list of references regarding any aspects of this engineering format; any reading material supplemental to this page. 
http://linux.ucla.edu/~phaethon/q3a/formats/md3format.html 
http://www.math.ucsd.edu/~sbuss/CourseWeb/CSE167_2004F/ProjectFinal/svoboda_matthew_john/readme.html 
http://www.fileinfo.com/extension/md3 
http://www.misfitcode.com/misfitmodel3d/olh_quakemd3.html

@@ Line 72: / Line 72: @@
 '''Documentation:''' [[Documentation::MD3 Documentation]]
-'''File Extensions:''' [[File Extension::]] - .md3
+'''File Extensions:''' [[File Extension::.md3]]
 '''Applications:''' - Applications that the engineering format uses.
-* '''Native application(s):''' [[Native Application::Engineering Format Application Template]] - id Tech 3/Quake III engine
+* '''Native application(s):''' [[Native Application::id Tech 3/Quake III engine]]
-* '''Interoperable applications:''' [[Interoperable Application::Engineering Format Application Template]] - OpenGL.  Models can be created in many 3D rendering packages (Lightwave, 3d Studio Max) and compiled in QME
+* '''Interoperable applications:''' [[Interoperable Application::OpenGL]].  Models can be created in many 3D rendering packages ([[Interoperable Application::Lightwave]], [[Interoperable Application::3d Studio Max]]) and compiled in [[Interoperable Application::QME]]
-'''Magic numbers:''' [[Magic Numbers::]] - IDP3
+'''Magic numbers:''' [[Magic Numbers::IDP3]]
-'''Format(s):''' [[Format::]] - md3
+'''Format(s):''' [[Format::md3]]
-'''Rights:''' [[Rights::]] - While the Quake III engine is proprietary, MD3 has been GPL'd.
+'''Rights:''' [[Rights::gpl]] - While the Quake III engine is proprietary, MD3 has been GPL'd.
 '''Sustainability Factors:''' - Facts about the sustainability of this particular engineering format.
-* '''Standardization:''' [[Standardization::]] - None, this format has been superseded by other formats, including MD5.
+* '''Standardization:''' [[Standardization::None]], this format has been superseded by other formats, including MD5.
-* '''Adoption:''' [[Adoption::]] - Format was adopted by several other games, but has since been superseded.
+* '''Adoption:''' <!-- [[Adoption::]] --> Format was adopted by several other games, but has since been superseded.
-** '''Licensing and patent claims:''' [[Licensing and patent claims::]] - The MD2 format is licensed under the GPL.
+** '''Licensing and patent claims:''' [[Licensing and patent claims::gpl]] - The MD2 format is licensed under the GPL.
-* '''Self-documentation:''' [[Self-documentation::]] - None
+* '''Self-documentation:''' [[Self-documentation::None]]
-* '''External dependencies:''' [[External dependencies::]] - OpenGl is needed for rendering.
+* '''External dependencies:''' [[External dependencies::OpenGl]] is needed for rendering.
-* '''Technical protection considerations:''' [[Technical protection considerations::]] - None.
+* '''Technical protection considerations:''' [[Technical protection considerations::None]]
-'''Typical use:''' [[Typical use::]] - Video Games, specifically those using the id Tech 3/Quake III engine
+'''Typical use:''' <!-- [[Typical use::]] --> Video Games, specifically those using the id Tech 3/Quake III engine
 '''File classification:''' - Specific properties that pertain to this engineering format.
-* '''Type {Binary, Text}:''' [[File Classification Type::]] - Binary
+* '''Type {Binary, Text}:''' [[File Classification Type::Binary]]
 * '''Raster data:''' - Section describes whether or not the engineering format supports raster data.
 ** '''Raster data 2D:''' - Can the format support 2D raster data? Example: A format that can contain 2D pixelated data supports 2D raster data.

@@ Line 68: / Line 68: @@
 http://www.misfitcode.com/misfitmodel3d/olh_quakemd3.html
-'''Identifier:''' [[Identifier::]] - Specification: http://linux.ucla.edu/~phaethon/q3a/formats/md3format.html
+'''Identifier:''' Specification: [[Identifier::http://linux.ucla.edu/~phaethon/q3a/formats/md3format.html]]
-'''Documentation:''' [[Documentation::Documentation Template]] - See Identifier.
+'''Documentation:''' [[Documentation::MD3 Documentation]]
 '''File Extensions:''' [[File Extension::]] - .md3

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 [[Category:Engineering format]]
-'''Title(s):''' [[Title::]] - MD3 for id Tech 3 engine
+'''Title(s):''' [[Title::MD3 for id Tech 3 engine]]
-'''Version ID:''' [[Version ID::]] - MD3
+'''Version ID:''' [[Version ID::MD3]]
-'''Date released:''' [[Version Date released::]] - 1999-12-02 (Released with Quake 3)
+'''Date released:''' [[Version Date released::1999-12-02 (Released with Quake 3)]] -
-'''Date:''' [[Format Date::]] - Date the format was created (YYYY-MM-DD)
+'''Date:''' [[Format Date::1999]] - Date the format was created
-'''Creator(s):''' [[Creator::Entity Template]] - id Software
+'''Creator(s):''' [[Creator::id Software]] -
-'''Contributor(s):''' [[Contributor::]] - id Software
+'''Contributor(s):''' [[Contributor::id Software]] -
 '''Relationships:''' - Created by id Software for use in the id tech 3 game engine.  Id tech 3 replaced id tech 2.
-* '''Previous Version(s):''' [[Previous Version::]] - Replaced the MD2 format.
+* '''Previous Version(s):''' [[Previous Version::MD2]]
-* '''Contains:''' [[Contains::]] - None
+* '''Contains:''' [[Contains::None]]
-* '''Syntax Format(s):''' [[Syntax Format::]] - Structured data for drawing models using OpenGL.
+* '''Syntax Format(s):''' <!-- [[Syntax Format::]] --> A 3D file format that describes interactive objects that move in an environment.  They style of animation is called mesh deformation or vertex animation.
-* '''Family Format(s):''' [[Family Format::]] - OpenGL
+* '''Family Format(s):''' [[Family Format::OpenGL]]
-'''Description:''' [[Description::]] - Designed to model triangle data for frame by frame animation for use in video game rendering.  The data in the file contains frame, vertex, surface, and shading data, as well as animation data.
+'''Description:''' <!-- [[Description::]] --> Designed to model triangle data for frame by frame animation for use in video game rendering.  The data in the file contains frame, vertex, surface, and shading data, as well as animation data.
-'''History:''' [[History::]] - Originally released with Quake III, the format and engine were also licensed to other games of the time.  Notable games using this format and engine are Quake III, Call of Duty, Medal of Honor & Soldier of Fortune.
+'''History:''' <!-- [[History::]] --> Originally released with Quake III, the format and engine were also licensed to other games of the time.  Notable games using this format and engine are Quake III, Call of Duty, Medal of Honor & Soldier of Fortune.
-'''Example(s):''' [[Example::Example Template]] - <pre>
+'''Example(s):''' [[Example::MD3 Example]] - <pre>
 Example animation.cfg: